During my first visit to my Middle School placement in Westerly I met D. Derix. She is the 6th Grade Science Teacher in the Currents Team who I will be working with this year. The team itself I found had at the beginning of the year wrote up Team rules with the students.
Currents Rules
1. Be a Responsible Student
2. Raise Your Hand... listen to who is talking...wait to be called on
3. Stay on the Right Hand side of the Hallway
4. Be Friendly and Honest
5. Respect
teachers
students
furniture/building
6. Be Prepared for Class
7. No Gum
8. Always do Your Best!
As far as enforcement of these rules goes it seems to be up to each individual teacher. D.Derix mentioned that she generally gives a reminder first (which works for most students) but repeat offenders have a call home to their parents. The only other enforcement mentioned was for Bullying which follows the same first two steps with the third being sent to the office with a Disciplinary Referral Form.
The only other rules that I noticed was a poster outside of her class which stated STOP and then a list of things to remember to bring to class. This included their science book, science notebook, pencils/pens, assignment book, and homework. I did not see any enforcement of this as there was paper for those without their notebook, or with the wrong one as well as pencils available if they were needed.
During the four classes I was able to observe there was very little disruption and the only off task behavior I saw was using some of the implements left out from the class before ( which should have been put away) yet when asked to put them away the students got right back to work. Overall the first visit went well and I was able to start working with the students asking questions to guide them through their work and answer ones to help clarify the concepts of the day.
Mrs. Patalano distributed two handouts at the beginning of the year which described the classroom policies. The first handout is titled "Mrs. Patalano's Class Rules," the second handout is "Flinn Scientific's Student safety contract." After that she would explain to the students' what was on each handout. For the safety contract she would also have the students make lab safety posters that reflected the schools acronym for P.R.I.D.E. The students would use each of the letters to rephrase a portion of the laboratory rules.
Mrs. Patalano reinforced her rules by using what she calls the "5 step rule." This is a punishment system that gradually escalates in severity:
Warning, for unacceptable action or behavior.
Isolation, move students closer to me or away from friend(s).
Lunch detention, if the action or behavior has not been resolved.
Parent contact, if behavior continues, then I must contact guardian
Office referral, last resort.
Reflections:
Mrs. Patalano's method of distributing the classroom polices to each of the students, then informing them of the policies is a standard practice among teachers. At the current time I feel as though I will continue with this long held tradition. However, her method of having the student's make a poster on the laboratory policy seemed to be very effective at reinforcing the safety information. She bragged, that in comparison to previous years the average grade on the safety test has gone up by ten points since starting the poster project. I would like to incorporate this into my own classroom when the time comes.
Her method of reinforcing the rules seems to be effective in theory. However, I can not make an adequate analysis of it due to it was my first day at my placement.
Class Topic: Physical Science
Grade: 8th
Observed by: John Aellig
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class. Observations:
On my first visit to Middletown High School, I observed two biology classes and an AP Bio class taught by my cooperating teacher, Mrs. Ferreira. Upon my arrival, she gave me the "Classroom Management Plan" handout and a contract that the students have to sign and return to the teacher. A parent/guardian also has to sign the contract stating he/she has read the classroom management rules, and Mrs. Ferreira keeps each classes' contracts in a separate binder. The management handout consisted of attendance, discipline, grading, notebook, testing, and make-up policies. At the end of the handout the high school's mission statement was reiterated, stating, "Middletown High School is an educational community committed ot providing the academic, civic, and social tools essential for the future success of our students." Mrs. Ferreira said it helps remind her and hopefully the students that these rules are in place to help in the process of building responsible citizens.
Reflections:
I noticed some of the policies being enforced, but it was a smooth transition with no griping from the students, which is the way rules should work out. For example, at the beginning of class, Mrs. Ferreira said to place any completed assignments in the "homework box". She gave the students a few minutes, took what collected in the "homework box" asked the students if there was anyone else to turn assignments in, then put what she had in a grading folder. This showed her enforcing one of the policies that late assignments will not be accepted. Collecting the assignments at the beginning of class prevents students from working on it during instruction. The rule also says, "at the discretion of the teacher" so if a student is having problems with turning assignments in on time then he/she can talk to Mrs. Ferreira and try to resolve the problem or work something out. Mrs. Ferreira emphasized that not everything in the class policy is set in stone, which is why she titled it "Classroom Management Plan" where some policies are absolute and some are more as guidelines to keep the class and teacher in check. I also observed Robin, who co-teaches one of the biology classes with Mrs. Ferreira, helping enforce the notebook policy by checking the students notebooks while they worked on an activity. Notebooks are supposed to be organized into sections labeled, "key terms", "notes", and "assignments". If students didn't have these separated, Robin gave them dividers and organized their papers. Since notebook organization is part of the grade, Robin is encouraging the students to keep their notes in order. Overall, the classes I observed went very smoothly and it seems that Mrs. Ferreira is getting to know her students well and if she is always this jovial and relaxed then class should continue to go well without any misunderstandings of the classroom management plan.
Class Topic: Biology Grade: 9-12 Observed by: Beth Copeley
Ms. Bartek believes all students should experience learning for themselves through inquiry and projects assigned to them.
Her class policies are:
student respect
raising hand
food allowed if neat
one tardy free, then after school detention
no electronic devices
passes signed in agenda book when they want to leave the room
She answers yes to the "may I go get a drink" question.
Safety is shown in the Flinn safety sheet, available online.
In the beginning of class, we had an assembly about Kneecap tests, which I am not all that familiar with.
Next the students set up games for their extra credit assignment that required them to come up with a game that would help students learn the metric system and their conversions. This consisted of some kids using sharpie marker to draw a hopscotch board on the tile floors. After set up, the kids rotated through the games to see which ones they liked playing best and voted on the best one, along with their opinion of if the lesson should be kept for next year. After class, I scrubbed the floors with Ms. Bartek and we drove to a pet store to get meds for her fish.
Reflections:
Alright.... so I scrubbed the floor with a strong alkaline and a sponge today, as well as used my car to run an errand for my teacher. Although a little odd, It went well. I like her philosophy and the students were well behaved and seemed interested in who I was, which was great. I helped collect handouts throughout class and met some students. A girl even complimented my necklace I received from Turkey.
A student Matt seemed a little unengaged throughout class and shy. Another girl Helena stated out loud that she knows she's not cool when a talkative group of girls wouldn't' walk over to her gameboard, but stayed positive throughout her turn to show the game... ah the joys of high school.
Students were cooperative and seemed engaged throughout the class. Teacher is leaving for Mexico this week to further her research on ESL combined in the Bio classroom through TESOL. She stated that biology can also be seen as a "foreign language" which is a great observation, and plans to incorporate what she learned through the ESL studies into her lessons.
**Class Topic: General Science
Grade:mainly 9th
Observed by:
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.
Observations:
Today, at Lincoln Middle School, I finally met one of my cooperating teachers, Mrs. McGarry. After introducing myself I decided to ask questions about the school and about her classroom to learn more. I asked my CT what her classroom policies were. She handed me a Student Handbook, "It's all in here", she replied. I took time and went through the handbook. The contents included a calendar of events, a schedule, general information, attendence policies, academics, student services,and behavior expectations, just to name a few. She told me that they all follow the same rules in the school so students do not get confused. She said she has added a few simple rules in her classroom such as no restroom breaks during a quiz. Everything is explained in this handbook. Progress report dates, report card dates, open house, parent conferences, and NECAP test dates are all included as well. The first week of school parents/guardians must read and fill out a form that says that they are aware and understand the rules and procedures of the school. The section about classroom conduct is detailed stating students must arrive on time to class, be prepared, respect others, be honest, and work to the best of their ability. Discipline is divided into progressive steps: informal talk, conference, teacher detention, office detention, loss of prviledge, in school detention, out of school suspension, and expulsion. Minor and major offenses are also detialed in the discipline section of the handbook followed by the consequence so expectations are clear. A bullying policy was included in the handbook along with a definition and disciplinary sanctions. As far as lab safety, Mrs. McGarry said she explains to the students as they go because it is sixth grade and the things they do are not dangerous. Reflections: I enjoyed my first day at LMS, Mrs. McGarry was so inviting and helpful. She made me comfortable in her class and was willing to answer questions I had. I absolutely love how organized she is, everything was labeled and had its own crate or folder.
She gave me a handbook and I can not believe how informative it is, it is like a survival guide for middle school.
I loved the fact that everything is "set in stone" the first week of class and parents and students know the routines. Another thing I liked was that each period the students write their assignnments in the schedule and take it home so that their parents can see what homework they have or what they will need for the class in the future. In my teaching rationale I mentioned communication as being one of my key focuses as a teacher, so far the "Student Handbook" looks like a great support.
Class Topic: Class Policies Grade: 6 Observed by: Talia Delmonico
Rules:
1. We are well prepared for class.
2. We respect the space and property of others.
3. We are considerate in language and actions.
4. We will not prevent the teacher from teaching or students from learning.
Observation:
The class was currently working on the water cycle and have moved onto clouds, types of precipitation, and weather. The class was given a worksheet that they had been working on in the previous class. Students were allowed to work independently on their work, and when they were finished, a newer worksheet was passed out and the individual paragraphs were rerad out loud by the students. Questions were asked by Mrs Arcand, and students answered. Mrs Arcand had the students cite the sentence and paragraph of where the answers were found in the text next to the question. This made the students have to work harder in finding the answer instread of just copying their neighbor's work. As the students finished questions Mrs Arcand would ask the question and ask for a set of hands of the students who agreed, those who didnt were made to find the answer as the others who got it right did. This ensured that every student had a documented right answer and a great study guide.
Reflection:
Mrs Arcand is very organized and her students know it. She is very knowledgable and her students also realize this. Rules are displayed in an obvious place, and are constantly reminded when a rule is broken. The students follow the rules because they are neforced. Mrs Arcand has some co-teaching responsibilities, and is a good co-teaching teacher, but I can tell she is best suited doing her own thing in the classroom. She makes sure all of her students know that they have to write down the work for the day and the homework for the night in their planner. It is obvious that she is teaching organizational skills and providing them a routine that they wiull hopefully take with them into further schooling. AT the end of class, the students have to organize all of their belongings in an orderly fashion, push their chairs in and wait patiently before being dismissed as a group (group seating in classroom of 4-5 students at 4 tables put together). Mrs Arcand runs an efficient classroom and is built on respect, organization, and preparedness.
During my first meeting with my cooperating teacher in middle school I was able to get a good feel for the school. it turns out my high school and middle school teachers share a classroom. I also found out that my middle school teacher teaches earth science topics in his 7th grade classes and chemistry in his 8th grade classes. This confused me because i don't know how this will affect my unit plans. Mr. Barnes also talked to me about the kits they use. these kits contain labs and other activities that the teacher then uses to teach and generally he said you design your lesson around the labs.
I also talked to Mr. Barnes a little bit about his classroom policies and from what i gathered the rules are pretty standard as far as be respectful do your work and don't stop others from learning. Mr. Barnes generally introduces the rules at the beginning of the year so students can know what is expected of them. He did not have any form of handout that he could give me, but the general steps in the discipline process seem to be verbal warnings, then the parents are informed, and finally 2 hour after school detention. Problems that arise that are especially bad would probably result in suspension. One thing that i thought was very interesting was the fact that parents receive a weekly report on students grades. i had never heard of parents being this well informed. It was a good first visit aside from the confusion i encountered by my cooperating teachers regarding my visiting the school.
1. Be on time and come prepared to class everyday (notebook, textbook, something to write with, and an alert and questioning brain!!). 2. Complete and submit work ON TIME! I will accept late work however, there is a 10% rule applied. That is, 10% of the point value is deducted for each day the assignment is submitted late! 3. Ask questions! This applies across the board: if you don't understand, if you're just curious, if you'd like clarification, etc....Talk to me!!! 4. Complete all laboratory investigations and work in a safe and serious manner! Follow all general lab rules and listen to/abide by all directions. There is a time and a place for having fun and fooling around.....NOT IN THE LAB!!! 5. Pay attention to (and save) any and all grade reports/printouts that I give to you. These will be handed out every 2-3 weeks. Use them to keep up to date on point totals, missing assignments, grades, etc!! Rules" (a.k.a. "How To Succeed In Bentley's Classes") 6. Use your grant money wisely! Remember, you lose $$$$ every bathroom trip and for various behavior problems!! The cash will help you at the end of every quarter!
As you visit your classroom each week, you should be keeping a log of your hours. In addition to this log, we would like to you observe specific characteristics of your cooperating teacher's (CT's) classroom and reflect on these observations.
As you visit your schools, you should "be a sponge" and learn as much about the students, teacher and school as your can. Each week, we will ask you to pay attention to one characteristic of your classes to observe and reflect upon.
By observation, we mean that we would like to write a brief paragraph describing what you saw (or discussed with your CT) that answers the questions we provide.
By reflection, we mean that we would like you to write a paragraph that interprets your observations, and evaluates them based on either what you intend to do when you have your own class our in light of what we are reading and talking about in class.
Observation/Reflection #0: Class Policies
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.
Observations:
After my first observation i found that my teacher has a very well defined classroom policy. In my CT's classroom there is a very laid-back and friendly atmosphere. All the students are treated as mature individuals and my CT is not afraid to tell the students precisely how he feels about them (usually with some humor). The two classes i observed today were both senior classes and it appeared that most of the students were already acquainted with my CT; which leads me to believe they are already aware of his classroom policies and therefore would have to predict a consistent enforcement of these policies through the year (for these two particular classes).
Reflections:
Recollecting on these observations i feel that my CT has a similar teaching style to that of myself. However, i do feel that in time i would be less "expressive" in my communications with the students. I do, however, feel that this style of teaching promotes a healthy relationship between both the students and the teacher, and allows the students to find trust and a mentor in their teacher.
Class Topic: Free-fall (Physics)
Grade: 2x12th
Observed by: David Kenahan
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.
Observations:
On Tuesday, Mrs. Wolslegel, the chair of the science department at North Kingstown High School, showed me around the science wing and introduced me to my two cooperating teachers. She provided me with a copy of the student handbook, a pamphlet on the ninth grade science project, a current school year calendar for NK, a calendar of rotating periods for the year, and a copy of all the teachers and classes begin taught this semester. I will be working with Mr. Browne for biology and he gave me a copy of his syllabus. The syllabus, aside from a breakdown of topics for the year, includes his grading system, homework policy and "what to bring to class everyday" policy. Mr. Browne does not accept classwork or homework late, but will accept project and labs late with a deduction of 10% per school day. It is expected that each student bring their textbook, 3-ring binder with loose leaf, a calculator, a pen and pencil, and colored pencils, markers or crayons to every class. Safety policies are addressed when needed at the beginning of each lab. Since we were in the computer lab, Mr. Browne was able to show me the completely electronic grading system the school uses. Attendance and all grades are recorded on the system, which has many back-ups so there is no need to worry about losing anything. I then met Ms. Parvo who only teaches freshmen earth science, and she was very excited to have me come into her class. We unfortunately did not get a chance to talk long, but she emailed me a copy of her classroom expectations. The expectations include creating a positive learning environment, being prepared to do your best work by being prepared, turning in work that is 100% your own, feel comfortable communicating with her, turning in completed homework at the beginning of class on the day it is due, being responsible for all assignments (especially if you are absent), and behaving in a way that is conducive to the class process. Each section asks students to voice their opinion about the expectation, say how they will meet the expectation, or how they will adjust in order to meet the expectation. Ms. Parvo has both her students and their parents sign that they read and understand the expectations of her classroom. Before leaving, Mrs. Wolslegel provided me with a copy of the biology textbook Mr. Browne uses and the first book in a series that Ms. Parvo uses with her class.
Reflection:
So far my experience at NKHS has been wonderful. The school is gorgeous and the faculty are all very welcoming and helpful. Being a newer school, all the science classrooms are fully equipped with lab benches and technology. Mrs. Wolslegel was very helpful in showing me around and introducing me to everyone, along with providing me with all the necessary schedules and textbooks. Mr. Browne was just getting over being sick, so he was feeling under the weather and wasn't very talkative or enthusiastic. I was, however, able to tell that his students respond to him well and like him as a teacher. Mr. Browne seems to be laid back and up for new ideas. He already offered me resources to help plan lessons, and encouraged me to make use of the computer labs, technology and science labs. I am looking forward to meeting the healthy Mr. Browne next time! Ms. Parvo is very energetic and is excited to have me working with her. I really liked her outline of class policies and the way she asked for student input. I could tell her class was considerate of her expectations and respected her. I think Ms. Parvo will be a great CT because she is very willing to help me out with whatever she can and is already showing me great support. I look forward to going back to NKHS and learning more about my CTs and getting to know my students.
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class
Observations:
Today I meet Mrs. Reid, my CT at Westerly Middle School. I was absolutely amazed by how perfect the school was laid out. The building is absolutely perfect for a true middle school set up. Each team is set up in a ‘pod’. Each pod is essentially a little school. The four teachers’ rooms, as well as a resource and team room are all located in this section. All of the students’ lockers are here, as well as bathrooms and common space in the middle for whole team activities. While here I asked her about her policies, mostly about her safety policies and rules. She takes a familiar, yet different approach to this, and her method has changed a little from year to year, depending on other team considerations. She has the students brainstorm in a guided discussion what are essentially the lab rules, this student friendly wording is written on chart paper and hung in the room. Now the lab safety rules go home and most be signed by both the student and the parents. Some years she has had students create safety posters. Every year though she incorporates the safety rules into a science starter activity at the beginning of the following class. This years was a story about Spongebob and his friends in the lab where the students were to find all of the things that they did wrong.
Reflections:
Most people can come up with good rules, policies and safety guidelines. It is implementing these rules; making sure they are understood and applied that is more difficult. It seems as though the sense of team unity, both in the physical space and in the working chemistry the teachers seem to share, allows this to work very well. Although the lab rules might be considered to belong only in the science classroom, many in fact permeate life in school. As do her other class policies. By sharing a space, a mission and a goal, as well as the basic rules and policies, these students know from day one what is expected of them. The teachers can work together to quickly solve any issues, and all of their resources are close by. Additionally allowing the students to apply there knowledge to the task of the story forces them to think critically, keeping the ideas in their mind. The class discussion that followed the work presents the information in another modality. Safety is nothing to take lately and it seems as though this approach will do the trick
Class Topic: N/a
Grade:6
Observed by:Chris Liberti
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.
Observations:
I was able to learn a lot about Mrs. Brocato's class by the two periods that I observed today. The kids come in and know exactly what they have to do because there is a list on the white board of things that they need to do before the lesson starts. This includes writing down tonight's homework, taking out their homework from last night, answering a brief journal question, setting up their table for their lab today, recording the grades in their agenda, and filing their graded papers away. Mrs. Brocato went around and stamped their agendas to check that they did this. As far as class policies and expectations, the team has a website that posts all of the rules that were reviewed at the beginning of the year. She also has a separate set of lab safety rules that are in the form of a contract that the students and their parents sign. Mrs. Brocato also gave me some other handouts that she uses to start the year including her grading criteria, rubrics, and a list of "What to do when there is nothing to do." It was clear to me that he students knew the policies of her classroom and it was also evident that she held high expectations for her students.
Reflections:
Mrs. Brocato was extremely friendly, giving me a tour of the school and introducing me to everyone that we walked by. She is unbelievably organized and encourages her students to keep organized and on top of their work. She has them write one formal lab report each quarter and she breaks up the lab so that they write a part of it each week, or after each lesson and them compile the report at the end. I also notice that she does not have to talk about rules that often in her classroom. The students seem to have a clear understanding of how they are expected to act during lab. My first day in the middle school was a great experience and I am looking forward to going back next week.
Class Topic: General Science Grade: 7 Observed by: Beth McArdle
Observation:
I met with Sarah Sewatsky after school to discuss her classroom and my future role in her classroom. We started by going over her syllabus and class room policies. Her policies include...
1. Be ready when the bell rings at the beginning of class.
2. Raise your hand if you wish to speak.
3. No food or drinks allowed in class room.
4. Ask before using the bathroom
5. Sharpen pencils, dispose of trash, etc. before class to minimize distractions.
6.Show respect for others and their property
7.The teacher dismisses you, not the bell.
8. No electronic devises visible accept a calculator.
9. Always pay attention and follow directions.
She went on to note that these policies are very basic and she rarely has to remind students of the rules. I found the classroom to be similar to those I have learned in in the past. Large science classroom style desks that seat two students. Ms. Sewatsky was very organized and made efforts to ensure that her students were also very organized.
Reflection:
The classroom was pretty much as I had expected. It was typical of many science classrooms I have seen in the past. I am not a big fan of the double desks. I think students should have their own space. Also I think students are more easily distracted my each other when sharing a desk. However in a science class room the larger area is often needed for labs. I suppose I will see in the future if the desks are actually utilized for this purpose. I look forward to working with Ms.Sewatsky. She had a lot of advice for me and It was just our first meeting. She said even though she had not student taught for years she had a good recollection of what her experience was like and I am sure her advice will be a great aid for me.
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.
Observation
In my class I saw multiple postings of not only the classroom policies, but the teams policies as well. My teacher takes great pride in controlling her classroom, and infact stated to me that when I become a student teacher it is extremely important to lay down the law and stick to the rules that are already in place in the classroom. Mrs. H. makes sure that all students raise their hands if they wish to be called on for an answer. Multiple times throughout the class when students answered without raising their hands she would call on someone else for the answer. I was impresssed with most of the students enthusiasm for answering the questions, most of the classes that I observed the students actively participated in the class. Another key in her class policies is that students must respect themselves as well as respecting others. In one of the classes there is a group of students who dont neccesarily see eye to eye. Mrs. H. does an excellent job of keeping these students under control, and is fully aware of what the students are doing at all times. Another rule Mrs. H has is that the aisles are clear of clutter. In North Smithfield Middle School the students are allowed to carry backpacks to class. Mrs. H. reminded the students many times in the class to make sure that the students kept their work area and lab tables clear of any mess. Mrs. H. definitely does a great job of controlling her class and I hope that when I take over in January that I will have the same success. Reflection
When I take over the class I will be continuing with the same policies as Mrs. H. has in place for her class. Not only because as a student teacher I don't feel that have the right to change any of the current teachers policies, but I feel that Mrs. H. classroom rules are excellent. She was nice enough to give me a copy of both her classroom rules as well as the teams rules and homework policies. I feel that consistancy is important when controlling a classroom, so being consistant with the teams policies in place will be key to my success as a student teacher. Mrs. H. is also the team leader, so she definitely feels strongly about the policies in place. Since I have a copy of the policies I will be able to memorize them and enforce them when I am the teacher in the classroom. I hope that by making multiple observations througout the year will allow me to become more comfortable with the students as well as the policies of the classroom.
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.
Observation When asked about class policies, my CT simply reached down into his desk drawer and pulled out of a file, (one of many) a policy handout. He informed that the first day of school was very important in that it set the tone for the class. He emphatically informed me that it is much easier for a teacher to start off strict and come across as a taskmaster, followed later in the term with what he described as softening up which develops the fair but tough aspect of an effective teacher. The handout required that the student have his/her guardian sign the policy handout and return it the next day. Slater Middle School operates in a team fashion. Student classes are grouped into teams of similar grades and the class policy handout is a team based handout. There are six categories: vMaterials vHomework vAttendance/punctuality vClassroom Behavior vRewards vConsequences My CT emphasized the reward segment where team trips and activities were vital in motivating the students. He also highlighted the benefit of teachers working as a team in dealing with discipline in a consistent manner. Unity is power. Reflection Being a parent and now a grandparent I understand the importance of a consistent approach to discipline within the relationship of a child. Middle school students are all about testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Their motives for boundary testing are rooted in their desire to begin acting like adults, all the while using current adults in their social network as models for adult behavior. Teachers must keep in mind that not all students will have the best models of behavior in their familial setting; therefore must do their best at providing a good model in the school environment. Hence the TEAM POLICY handout, which in part is trying to send the message to the student that parents and teachers are on the same adult TEAM and are cooperating for the good of the child. I especially liked the Be tough at first advice. I know that since I will be teaching the same students in the spring that I am currently interacting with, I must now present myself as “tough” in the initial interactions and then work in the “fair” soon after. This means I must present myself to the students as a respectful, caring, knowledgeable authority figure whose main concern is helping them learn things. I also understand that I must meet and develop a working relationship with the rest of the Slater Eighth Grade Team Blue. They, as well as my CT, will be helpful in my student teacher endeavor. Practicing my collaborative teacher skills begins immediately.
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class. Observations:
Entering Mrs.T’s 7th grade science class, I see the students hard at work. They are in groups of four working on a hands-on activity on earth science. Looking around the room, I see bulletin boards about current events in science, different science skills, and classroom policies. Mrs. T gave me a copy of the classroom policies that she has handed out to her students. This policy had to be signed with consent from both the student and their guardian. The basic points stressed in the policies are; to come to class prepared to learn with the appropriate materials, if absences occur make-up work can be given and is the student’s responsibility. The rest of the policy discussed the grading policy. Grades are based on summative and formative assessments, projects, and laboratory investigations. Mrs. T strongly believes in being able to retake tests, because she wants the students to thoroughly understand the material. For summative assignments, formal rubrics will be given. Reflections:
I think that the method of distributing the policy to her students on the first day of class is a wise move. She then has her students have their guardians sign the policy along with their own signature. This is a good way for students to at least acknowledge the classroom policies, and look for anything that they may find unfair ahead of time. I agree with the policies that Mrs. T has set in place. The grading policies seem very straight forward, and are geared towards helping the students succeed. I also believe in retakes, because in science, we do not always get it the first time, but the goal is to eventually have an in -depth understanding of the subject. I am looking forward to learning more in this classroom.
Currents Rules
1. Be a Responsible Student
2. Raise Your Hand... listen to who is talking...wait to be called on
3. Stay on the Right Hand side of the Hallway
4. Be Friendly and Honest
5. Respect
- teachers
- students
- furniture/building
6. Be Prepared for Class7. No Gum
8. Always do Your Best!
As far as enforcement of these rules goes it seems to be up to each individual teacher. D.Derix mentioned that she generally gives a reminder first (which works for most students) but repeat offenders have a call home to their parents. The only other enforcement mentioned was for Bullying which follows the same first two steps with the third being sent to the office with a Disciplinary Referral Form.
The only other rules that I noticed was a poster outside of her class which stated STOP and then a list of things to remember to bring to class. This included their science book, science notebook, pencils/pens, assignment book, and homework. I did not see any enforcement of this as there was paper for those without their notebook, or with the wrong one as well as pencils available if they were needed.
During the four classes I was able to observe there was very little disruption and the only off task behavior I saw was using some of the implements left out from the class before ( which should have been put away) yet when asked to put them away the students got right back to work. Overall the first visit went well and I was able to start working with the students asking questions to guide them through their work and answer ones to help clarify the concepts of the day.
Observations:
Mrs. Patalano distributed two handouts at the beginning of the year which described the classroom policies. The first handout is titled "Mrs. Patalano's Class Rules," the second handout is "Flinn Scientific's Student safety contract." After that she would explain to the students' what was on each handout. For the safety contract she would also have the students make lab safety posters that reflected the schools acronym for P.R.I.D.E. The students would use each of the letters to rephrase a portion of the laboratory rules.Mrs. Patalano reinforced her rules by using what she calls the "5 step rule." This is a punishment system that gradually escalates in severity:
Reflections:
Mrs. Patalano's method of distributing the classroom polices to each of the students, then informing them of the policies is a standard practice among teachers. At the current time I feel as though I will continue with this long held tradition. However, her method of having the student's make a poster on the laboratory policy seemed to be very effective at reinforcing the safety information. She bragged, that in comparison to previous years the average grade on the safety test has gone up by ten points since starting the poster project. I would like to incorporate this into my own classroom when the time comes.Her method of reinforcing the rules seems to be effective in theory. However, I can not make an adequate analysis of it due to it was my first day at my placement.
Class Topic: Physical Science
Grade: 8th
Observed by: John Aellig
Observation/Reflection #0: Class Policies
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.Observations:
On my first visit to Middletown High School, I observed two biology classes and an AP Bio class taught by my cooperating teacher, Mrs. Ferreira. Upon my arrival, she gave me the "Classroom Management Plan" handout and a contract that the students have to sign and return to the teacher. A parent/guardian also has to sign the contract stating he/she has read the classroom management rules, and Mrs. Ferreira keeps each classes' contracts in a separate binder. The management handout consisted of attendance, discipline, grading, notebook, testing, and make-up policies. At the end of the handout the high school's mission statement was reiterated, stating, "Middletown High School is an educational community committed ot providing the academic, civic, and social tools essential for the future success of our students." Mrs. Ferreira said it helps remind her and hopefully the students that these rules are in place to help in the process of building responsible citizens.
Reflections:
I noticed some of the policies being enforced, but it was a smooth transition with no griping from the students, which is the way rules should work out. For example, at the beginning of class, Mrs. Ferreira said to place any completed assignments in the "homework box". She gave the students a few minutes, took what collected in the "homework box" asked the students if there was anyone else to turn assignments in, then put what she had in a grading folder. This showed her enforcing one of the policies that late assignments will not be accepted. Collecting the assignments at the beginning of class prevents students from working on it during instruction. The rule also says, "at the discretion of the teacher" so if a student is having problems with turning assignments in on time then he/she can talk to Mrs. Ferreira and try to resolve the problem or work something out. Mrs. Ferreira emphasized that not everything in the class policy is set in stone, which is why she titled it "Classroom Management Plan" where some policies are absolute and some are more as guidelines to keep the class and teacher in check. I also observed Robin, who co-teaches one of the biology classes with Mrs. Ferreira, helping enforce the notebook policy by checking the students notebooks while they worked on an activity. Notebooks are supposed to be organized into sections labeled, "key terms", "notes", and "assignments". If students didn't have these separated, Robin gave them dividers and organized their papers. Since notebook organization is part of the grade, Robin is encouraging the students to keep their notes in order. Overall, the classes I observed went very smoothly and it seems that Mrs. Ferreira is getting to know her students well and if she is always this jovial and relaxed then class should continue to go well without any misunderstandings of the classroom management plan.
Class Topic: Biology
Grade: 9-12
Observed by: Beth Copeley
Observations:
Ms. Bartek believes all students should experience learning for themselves through inquiry and projects assigned to them.
Her class policies are:
Safety is shown in the Flinn safety sheet, available online.
In the beginning of class, we had an assembly about Kneecap tests, which I am not all that familiar with.
Next the students set up games for their extra credit assignment that required them to come up with a game that would help students learn the metric system and their conversions. This consisted of some kids using sharpie marker to draw a hopscotch board on the tile floors. After set up, the kids rotated through the games to see which ones they liked playing best and voted on the best one, along with their opinion of if the lesson should be kept for next year. After class, I scrubbed the floors with Ms. Bartek and we drove to a pet store to get meds for her fish.
Reflections:
Alright.... so I scrubbed the floor with a strong alkaline and a sponge today, as well as used my car to run an errand for my teacher. Although a little odd, It went well. I like her philosophy and the students were well behaved and seemed interested in who I was, which was great. I helped collect handouts throughout class and met some students. A girl even complimented my necklace I received from Turkey.A student Matt seemed a little unengaged throughout class and shy. Another girl Helena stated out loud that she knows she's not cool when a talkative group of girls wouldn't' walk over to her gameboard, but stayed positive throughout her turn to show the game... ah the joys of high school.
Students were cooperative and seemed engaged throughout the class. Teacher is leaving for Mexico this week to further her research on ESL combined in the Bio classroom through TESOL. She stated that biology can also be seen as a "foreign language" which is a great observation, and plans to incorporate what she learned through the ESL studies into her lessons.
**Class Topic: General Science
Grade:mainly 9th
Observed by:
Observation/Reflection #1: Class Policies
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.Observations:
Today, at Lincoln Middle School, I finally met one of my cooperating teachers, Mrs. McGarry. After introducing myself I decided to ask questions about the school and about her classroom to learn more. I asked my CT what her classroom policies were. She handed me a Student Handbook, "It's all in here", she replied. I took time and went through the handbook. The contents included a calendar of events, a schedule, general information, attendence policies, academics, student services,and behavior expectations, just to name a few. She told me that they all follow the same rules in the school so students do not get confused. She said she has added a few simple rules in her classroom such as no restroom breaks during a quiz. Everything is explained in this handbook. Progress report dates, report card dates, open house, parent conferences, and NECAP test dates are all included as well. The first week of school parents/guardians must read and fill out a form that says that they are aware and understand the rules and procedures of the school. The section about classroom conduct is detailed stating students must arrive on time to class, be prepared, respect others, be honest, and work to the best of their ability. Discipline is divided into progressive steps: informal talk, conference, teacher detention, office detention, loss of prviledge, in school detention, out of school suspension, and expulsion. Minor and major offenses are also detialed in the discipline section of the handbook followed by the consequence so expectations are clear. A bullying policy was included in the handbook along with a definition and disciplinary sanctions. As far as lab safety, Mrs. McGarry said she explains to the students as they go because it is sixth grade and the things they do are not dangerous.Reflections:
I enjoyed my first day at LMS, Mrs. McGarry was so inviting and helpful. She made me comfortable in her class and was willing to answer questions I had. I absolutely love how organized she is, everything was labeled and had its own crate or folder.
She gave me a handbook and I can not believe how informative it is, it is like a survival guide for middle school.
I loved the fact that everything is "set in stone" the first week of class and parents and students know the routines. Another thing I liked was that each period the students write their assignnments in the schedule and take it home so that their parents can see what homework they have or what they will need for the class in the future. In my teaching rationale I mentioned communication as being one of my key focuses as a teacher, so far the "Student Handbook" looks like a great support.
Class Topic: Class Policies
Grade: 6
Observed by: Talia Delmonico
Curtis Corner MS Grade 6 Mrs Lynn Arcand
Rules:
1. We are well prepared for class.
2. We respect the space and property of others.
3. We are considerate in language and actions.
4. We will not prevent the teacher from teaching or students from learning.
Observation:
The class was currently working on the water cycle and have moved onto clouds, types of precipitation, and weather. The class was given a worksheet that they had been working on in the previous class. Students were allowed to work independently on their work, and when they were finished, a newer worksheet was passed out and the individual paragraphs were rerad out loud by the students. Questions were asked by Mrs Arcand, and students answered. Mrs Arcand had the students cite the sentence and paragraph of where the answers were found in the text next to the question. This made the students have to work harder in finding the answer instread of just copying their neighbor's work. As the students finished questions Mrs Arcand would ask the question and ask for a set of hands of the students who agreed, those who didnt were made to find the answer as the others who got it right did. This ensured that every student had a documented right answer and a great study guide.
Reflection:
Mrs Arcand is very organized and her students know it. She is very knowledgable and her students also realize this. Rules are displayed in an obvious place, and are constantly reminded when a rule is broken. The students follow the rules because they are neforced. Mrs Arcand has some co-teaching responsibilities, and is a good co-teaching teacher, but I can tell she is best suited doing her own thing in the classroom. She makes sure all of her students know that they have to write down the work for the day and the homework for the night in their planner. It is obvious that she is teaching organizational skills and providing them a routine that they wiull hopefully take with them into further schooling. AT the end of class, the students have to organize all of their belongings in an orderly fashion, push their chairs in and wait patiently before being dismissed as a group (group seating in classroom of 4-5 students at 4 tables put together). Mrs Arcand runs an efficient classroom and is built on respect, organization, and preparedness.
I also talked to Mr. Barnes a little bit about his classroom policies and from what i gathered the rules are pretty standard as far as be respectful do your work and don't stop others from learning. Mr. Barnes generally introduces the rules at the beginning of the year so students can know what is expected of them. He did not have any form of handout that he could give me, but the general steps in the discipline process seem to be verbal warnings, then the parents are informed, and finally 2 hour after school detention. Problems that arise that are especially bad would probably result in suspension. One thing that i thought was very interesting was the fact that parents receive a weekly report on students grades. i had never heard of parents being this well informed. It was a good first visit aside from the confusion i encountered by my cooperating teachers regarding my visiting the school.
2. Complete and submit work ON TIME! I will accept late work however, there is a 10% rule applied. That is, 10% of the point value is deducted for each day the assignment is submitted late!
3. Ask questions! This applies across the board: if you don't understand, if you're just curious, if you'd like clarification, etc....Talk to me!!!
4. Complete all laboratory investigations and work in a safe and serious manner! Follow all general lab rules and listen to/abide by all directions. There is a time and a place for having fun and fooling around.....NOT IN THE LAB!!!
5. Pay attention to (and save) any and all grade reports/printouts that I give to you. These will be handed out every 2-3 weeks. Use them to keep up to date on point totals, missing assignments, grades, etc!! Rules" (a.k.a. "How To Succeed In Bentley's Classes")
6. Use your grant money wisely! Remember, you lose $$$$ every bathroom trip and for various behavior problems!! The cash will help you at the end of every quarter!
Observations and Reflections
As you visit your classroom each week, you should be keeping a log of your hours. In addition to this log, we would like to you observe specific characteristics of your cooperating teacher's (CT's) classroom and reflect on these observations.As you visit your schools, you should "be a sponge" and learn as much about the students, teacher and school as your can. Each week, we will ask you to pay attention to one characteristic of your classes to observe and reflect upon.
Observation/Reflection #0: Class Policies
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.
Observations:
After my first observation i found that my teacher has a very well defined classroom policy. In my CT's classroom there is a very laid-back and friendly atmosphere. All the students are treated as mature individuals and my CT is not afraid to tell the students precisely how he feels about them (usually with some humor). The two classes i observed today were both senior classes and it appeared that most of the students were already acquainted with my CT; which leads me to believe they are already aware of his classroom policies and therefore would have to predict a consistent enforcement of these policies through the year (for these two particular classes).Reflections:
Recollecting on these observations i feel that my CT has a similar teaching style to that of myself. However, i do feel that in time i would be less "expressive" in my communications with the students. I do, however, feel that this style of teaching promotes a healthy relationship between both the students and the teacher, and allows the students to find trust and a mentor in their teacher.Class Topic: Free-fall (Physics)
Grade: 2x12th
Observed by: David Kenahan
Observation/Reflection #0: Class Policies
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.Observations:
On Tuesday, Mrs. Wolslegel, the chair of the science department at North Kingstown High School, showed me around the science wing and introduced me to my two cooperating teachers. She provided me with a copy of the student handbook, a pamphlet on the ninth grade science project, a current school year calendar for NK, a calendar of rotating periods for the year, and a copy of all the teachers and classes begin taught this semester. I will be working with Mr. Browne for biology and he gave me a copy of his syllabus. The syllabus, aside from a breakdown of topics for the year, includes his grading system, homework policy and "what to bring to class everyday" policy. Mr. Browne does not accept classwork or homework late, but will accept project and labs late with a deduction of 10% per school day. It is expected that each student bring their textbook, 3-ring binder with loose leaf, a calculator, a pen and pencil, and colored pencils, markers or crayons to every class. Safety policies are addressed when needed at the beginning of each lab. Since we were in the computer lab, Mr. Browne was able to show me the completely electronic grading system the school uses. Attendance and all grades are recorded on the system, which has many back-ups so there is no need to worry about losing anything. I then met Ms. Parvo who only teaches freshmen earth science, and she was very excited to have me come into her class. We unfortunately did not get a chance to talk long, but she emailed me a copy of her classroom expectations. The expectations include creating a positive learning environment, being prepared to do your best work by being prepared, turning in work that is 100% your own, feel comfortable communicating with her, turning in completed homework at the beginning of class on the day it is due, being responsible for all assignments (especially if you are absent), and behaving in a way that is conducive to the class process. Each section asks students to voice their opinion about the expectation, say how they will meet the expectation, or how they will adjust in order to meet the expectation. Ms. Parvo has both her students and their parents sign that they read and understand the expectations of her classroom. Before leaving, Mrs. Wolslegel provided me with a copy of the biology textbook Mr. Browne uses and the first book in a series that Ms. Parvo uses with her class.Reflection:
So far my experience at NKHS has been wonderful. The school is gorgeous and the faculty are all very welcoming and helpful. Being a newer school, all the science classrooms are fully equipped with lab benches and technology. Mrs. Wolslegel was very helpful in showing me around and introducing me to everyone, along with providing me with all the necessary schedules and textbooks. Mr. Browne was just getting over being sick, so he was feeling under the weather and wasn't very talkative or enthusiastic. I was, however, able to tell that his students respond to him well and like him as a teacher. Mr. Browne seems to be laid back and up for new ideas. He already offered me resources to help plan lessons, and encouraged me to make use of the computer labs, technology and science labs. I am looking forward to meeting the healthy Mr. Browne next time! Ms. Parvo is very energetic and is excited to have me working with her. I really liked her outline of class policies and the way she asked for student input. I could tell her class was considerate of her expectations and respected her. I think Ms. Parvo will be a great CT because she is very willing to help me out with whatever she can and is already showing me great support. I look forward to going back to NKHS and learning more about my CTs and getting to know my students.Observations:
Today I meet Mrs. Reid, my CT at Westerly Middle School. I was absolutely amazed by how perfect the school was laid out. The building is absolutely perfect for a true middle school set up. Each team is set up in a ‘pod’. Each pod is essentially a little school. The four teachers’ rooms, as well as a resource and team room are all located in this section. All of the students’ lockers are here, as well as bathrooms and common space in the middle for whole team activities.While here I asked her about her policies, mostly about her safety policies and rules. She takes a familiar, yet different approach to this, and her method has changed a little from year to year, depending on other team considerations. She has the students brainstorm in a guided discussion what are essentially the lab rules, this student friendly wording is written on chart paper and hung in the room. Now the lab safety rules go home and most be signed by both the student and the parents. Some years she has had students create safety posters. Every year though she incorporates the safety rules into a science starter activity at the beginning of the following class. This years was a story about Spongebob and his friends in the lab where the students were to find all of the things that they did wrong.
Reflections:
Most people can come up with good rules, policies and safety guidelines. It is implementing these rules; making sure they are understood and applied that is more difficult. It seems as though the sense of team unity, both in the physical space and in the working chemistry the teachers seem to share, allows this to work very well. Although the lab rules might be considered to belong only in the science classroom, many in fact permeate life in school. As do her other class policies. By sharing a space, a mission and a goal, as well as the basic rules and policies, these students know from day one what is expected of them. The teachers can work together to quickly solve any issues, and all of their resources are close by.
Additionally allowing the students to apply there knowledge to the task of the story forces them to think critically, keeping the ideas in their mind. The class discussion that followed the work presents the information in another modality. Safety is nothing to take lately and it seems as though this approach will do the trick
Class Topic: N/a
Grade:6
Observed by:Chris Liberti
Observation/Reflection #0: Class Policies
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.Observations:
I was able to learn a lot about Mrs. Brocato's class by the two periods that I observed today. The kids come in and know exactly what they have to do because there is a list on the white board of things that they need to do before the lesson starts. This includes writing down tonight's homework, taking out their homework from last night, answering a brief journal question, setting up their table for their lab today, recording the grades in their agenda, and filing their graded papers away. Mrs. Brocato went around and stamped their agendas to check that they did this. As far as class policies and expectations, the team has a website that posts all of the rules that were reviewed at the beginning of the year. She also has a separate set of lab safety rules that are in the form of a contract that the students and their parents sign. Mrs. Brocato also gave me some other handouts that she uses to start the year including her grading criteria, rubrics, and a list of "What to do when there is nothing to do." It was clear to me that he students knew the policies of her classroom and it was also evident that she held high expectations for her students.Reflections:
Mrs. Brocato was extremely friendly, giving me a tour of the school and introducing me to everyone that we walked by. She is unbelievably organized and encourages her students to keep organized and on top of their work. She has them write one formal lab report each quarter and she breaks up the lab so that they write a part of it each week, or after each lesson and them compile the report at the end. I also notice that she does not have to talk about rules that often in her classroom. The students seem to have a clear understanding of how they are expected to act during lab. My first day in the middle school was a great experience and I am looking forward to going back next week.Class Topic: General Science
Grade: 7
Observed by: Beth McArdle
I met with Sarah Sewatsky after school to discuss her classroom and my future role in her classroom. We started by going over her syllabus and class room policies. Her policies include...
1. Be ready when the bell rings at the beginning of class.
2. Raise your hand if you wish to speak.
3. No food or drinks allowed in class room.
4. Ask before using the bathroom
5. Sharpen pencils, dispose of trash, etc. before class to minimize distractions.
6.Show respect for others and their property
7.The teacher dismisses you, not the bell.
8. No electronic devises visible accept a calculator.
9. Always pay attention and follow directions.
She went on to note that these policies are very basic and she rarely has to remind students of the rules. I found the classroom to be similar to those I have learned in in the past. Large science classroom style desks that seat two students. Ms. Sewatsky was very organized and made efforts to ensure that her students were also very organized.
Reflection:
The classroom was pretty much as I had expected. It was typical of many science classrooms I have seen in the past. I am not a big fan of the double desks. I think students should have their own space. Also I think students are more easily distracted my each other when sharing a desk. However in a science class room the larger area is often needed for labs. I suppose I will see in the future if the desks are actually utilized for this purpose. I look forward to working with Ms.Sewatsky. She had a lot of advice for me and It was just our first meeting. She said even though she had not student taught for years she had a good recollection of what her experience was like and I am sure her advice will be a great aid for me.
Observation
In my class I saw multiple postings of not only the classroom policies, but the teams policies as well. My teacher takes great pride in controlling her classroom, and infact stated to me that when I become a student teacher it is extremely important to lay down the law and stick to the rules that are already in place in the classroom. Mrs. H. makes sure that all students raise their hands if they wish to be called on for an answer. Multiple times throughout the class when students answered without raising their hands she would call on someone else for the answer. I was impresssed with most of the students enthusiasm for answering the questions, most of the classes that I observed the students actively participated in the class. Another key in her class policies is that students must respect themselves as well as respecting others. In one of the classes there is a group of students who dont neccesarily see eye to eye. Mrs. H. does an excellent job of keeping these students under control, and is fully aware of what the students are doing at all times. Another rule Mrs. H has is that the aisles are clear of clutter. In North Smithfield Middle School the students are allowed to carry backpacks to class. Mrs. H. reminded the students many times in the class to make sure that the students kept their work area and lab tables clear of any mess. Mrs. H. definitely does a great job of controlling her class and I hope that when I take over in January that I will have the same success.
Reflection
When I take over the class I will be continuing with the same policies as Mrs. H. has in place for her class. Not only because as a student teacher I don't feel that have the right to change any of the current teachers policies, but I feel that Mrs. H. classroom rules are excellent. She was nice enough to give me a copy of both her classroom rules as well as the teams rules and homework policies. I feel that consistancy is important when controlling a classroom, so being consistant with the teams policies in place will be key to my success as a student teacher. Mrs. H. is also the team leader, so she definitely feels strongly about the policies in place. Since I have a copy of the policies I will be able to memorize them and enforce them when I am the teacher in the classroom. I hope that by making multiple observations througout the year will allow me to become more comfortable with the students as well as the policies of the classroom.
Observation/Reflection #0: Class Policies
Ask your cooperating teacher about their class policies. How do they introduce their policies and enforce them throughout the year? Obtain a copy of any handouts about policies or safety from the first week of class.Observation
When asked about class policies, my CT simply reached down into his desk drawer and pulled out of a file, (one of many) a policy handout. He informed that the first day of school was very important in that it set the tone for the class. He emphatically informed me that it is much easier for a teacher to start off strict and come across as a taskmaster, followed later in the term with what he described as softening up which develops the fair but tough aspect of an effective teacher.
The handout required that the student have his/her guardian sign the policy handout and return it the next day. Slater Middle School operates in a team fashion. Student classes are grouped into teams of similar grades and the class policy handout is a team based handout. There are six categories:
v Materials
v Homework
v Attendance/punctuality
v Classroom Behavior
v Rewards
v Consequences
My CT emphasized the reward segment where team trips and activities were vital in motivating the students. He also highlighted the benefit of teachers working as a team in dealing with discipline in a consistent manner. Unity is power.
Reflection
Being a parent and now a grandparent I understand the importance of a consistent approach to discipline within the relationship of a child. Middle school students are all about testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior. Their motives for boundary testing are rooted in their desire to begin acting like adults, all the while using current adults in their social network as models for adult behavior. Teachers must keep in mind that not all students will have the best models of behavior in their familial setting; therefore must do their best at providing a good model in the school environment. Hence the TEAM POLICY handout, which in part is trying to send the message to the student that parents and teachers are on the same adult TEAM and are cooperating for the good of the child.
I especially liked the Be tough at first advice. I know that since I will be teaching the same students in the spring that I am currently interacting with, I must now present myself as “tough” in the initial interactions and then work in the “fair” soon after. This means I must present myself to the students as a respectful, caring, knowledgeable authority figure whose main concern is helping them learn things.
I also understand that I must meet and develop a working relationship with the rest of the Slater Eighth Grade Team Blue. They, as well as my CT, will be helpful in my student teacher endeavor. Practicing my collaborative teacher skills begins immediately.
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Class Topic:Class Policies
Grade:8
Observed by:Lionel Tessier
Observations:
Entering Mrs.T’s 7th grade science class, I see the students hard at work. They are in groups of four working on a hands-on activity on earth science. Looking around the room, I see bulletin boards about current events in science, different science skills, and classroom policies. Mrs. T gave me a copy of the classroom policies that she has handed out to her students. This policy had to be signed with consent from both the student and their guardian. The basic points stressed in the policies are; to come to class prepared to learn with the appropriate materials, if absences occur make-up work can be given and is the student’s responsibility. The rest of the policy discussed the grading policy. Grades are based on summative and formative assessments, projects, and laboratory investigations. Mrs. T strongly believes in being able to retake tests, because she wants the students to thoroughly understand the material. For summative assignments, formal rubrics will be given.
Reflections:
I think that the method of distributing the policy to her students on the first day of class is a wise move. She then has her students have their guardians sign the policy along with their own signature. This is a good way for students to at least acknowledge the classroom policies, and look for anything that they may find unfair ahead of time. I agree with the policies that Mrs. T has set in place. The grading policies seem very straight forward, and are geared towards helping the students succeed. I also believe in retakes, because in science, we do not always get it the first time, but the goal is to eventually have an in -depth understanding of the subject. I am looking forward to learning more in this classroom.